Trending Now

You are here

‘Little Sturgis of the North’

The 16th annual Cavalier Motorcycle Ride-In, “Little Sturgis of the North”, will be held in Cavalier, N.D., on Saturday, June 16th with other activities scheduled June 15 and 17.

The Cavalier Ride-In started 16 years ago as a promotion for Hillman’s Jewelry and other local shops. The promotion started as a way to showcase Hillman’s Jewelry’s new “Harley Davidson” collection and to show off some of the bikes around the area. With a little advertising, the community was thrilled to have nearly 60 motorcycles in Cavalier. “It seemed the street was full!” recounts Nancy Jenson, the head of the motorcycle committee. What started out with 50 or 60 motorcycles has now grown to an event that attracted over 1,800 motorcycles and over 4,000 spectators last year.

If you have never attended this event, the committee encourages everyone to come and see the beautiful motorcycles. People from all over come together for fun in Cavalier. The day, while focused around the motorcyclists and the bikes, includes something for everyone.

There will be motorcycle games, contests, music, inflatable games for kids, shopping, food, and much more! “What makes us most proud of our event is the unique aspect that our event offers something for everyone-we guarantee that anyone from the hard core biker to the local residents can come and have fun with so much to see and do throughout this day” said Nancy Jenson about what sets the “Little Sturgis of the North” apart from other motorcycle ride-ins.

Cavalier, now known as the “Little Sturgis of the North”, has now become the premier biker event in northern North Dakota. The event has drawn motorcyclists from North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Colorado, California, Wisconsin, Manitoba, and others.

The event will kick start Friday night, June 15 in the Cedar Inn parking lot. The Cedar Inn will begin serving food at 6:30 p.m. There will be live music from the band “Flying Blind,“ which will play from 8 p.m. to midnight.

Registration for the event begins at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday and a fun-run motorcycle ride will start at 10 a.m. A voluntary $10 entry fee per person for the fun-run will include a bandana, a chance to win prizes and cash, and proceeds of the fun-run will go to the Ronald McDonald House. All motorcycles and riders are welcome. Games and contests will occur throughout the afternoon and there will be a DJ playing music as well. A free street dance will be held from 8 p.m. to 12 p.m. in the NAPA parking lot. The street dance will feature the band “SOL”. Pat Mars, a KJ108 Big Dog, is expected to join in the fun this year in the early afternoon. Every part of this event is free and open to everyone regardless of age.

There will be a cash raffle Saturday night at 5 p.m. The prizes include a $1000 cash prize, two $500 cash prizes, and four $250 cash prizes. A portion of the proceeds for the raffle will go to local charities and the event. Tickets will be sold at $10 apiece and you need not be present to win. The winning tickets will be drawn at 5 p.m. on Main Street. Tickets can be bought at the registration booth on Saturday or ahead of time at The Cavalier Chronicle, North Star Coop West and convenience store downtown, Swanson Motors, The Treasure Trove and Jenson’s A/C and Heating.

The Assembly of God Church is hosting a free fun day for all kids from noon to 5 p.m. in the former Food Pride parking lot. They are generously having inflatable games, sno-cones, popcorn, cotton candy, and lots of giveaways in order to give back to the community. All events are free and open to the public.

Lodging is available at the Cedar Inn Motel. To make a reservation for the Cedar Inn Motel, please call 1 (800) 338-7440. Camping is available at Icelandic State Park. To reserve a camping space in Icelandic State Park please call (701) 265-4561. Primitive camping will be available in the Cavalier City Park, the city arena, or at Linda Carik’s residence. To reserve a space at Linda Carik’s residence please call (701) 265-4068. All camping is first come-first serve.

The Cavalier Fire Department will host a pancake and sausage breakfast fundraiser Sunday morning, June 17 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the firehall. All proceeds will benefit the local fire department.
In addition to the cafes in Cavalier, there will be a variety of food vendors on main street during the event this year. Thompson’s Cafe, Pit Stop Diner, Mr. Donut (Steve Kemp), and Main Street Bistro, will have food stands. The Masons of Tongue River Lodge will be serving rootbeer floats for $1 to raise money for a local charity “Bikes for Books.”
Other vendors to this date include Chicken Scratchin’ by Lynus (motorcycle detailing), Legendary Cycles, and two tattoo artists out of Fargo, Trav’s Outfitters (Watertown, S.D.), Iverson Enterprises (Middle River, Minn.), Maureen’s Sewing, Bob’s Cycle Shack, Grand Forks, and Henna Tattoos.